Location: Vail
Top Things to do in Vail
Countries
Top 10 Things to do in Vail, United States
North America's biggest and most popular ski resort, Vail is an alpine village in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Long a favorite of serious skiers and jet setting celebrities, Vail now also draws a younger, hipper snowboarding crowd. Skiing is king at Vail Mountain and the Blue Sky Basin, but the area's vast splendor is perfect for hiking, biking, snowmobiling or scenery-gazing at any time of the year.
Restaurants in Vail
1. Gerald Ford Amphitheater
Overall Ratings
5 based on 148 reviews
Reviewed By jbfoodiefan
The amphitheater is home to some great events throughout the summertime in Vail. Every Tuesday there is a free concert. It is packed with people. The free concerts vary each week with who performs there. Sometimes you know the music, sometimes you don't. Either way, there is great people watching and it is very social.
The Bravo Music festival bring the Dallas Symphony, Philadelphia Symphony and NY Philharmonic to Vail from June to the end of July. After that the Vail International Dance Festival starts - end of July thru the first two weeks of August.
You can bring in a picnic for food or buy food there. Wine and beer are served in the amphitheater. Don't bring in your own alcohol you need to buy it there. There is lawn seating or you can buy tickets with reserved seating for the ticketed events. bring and blanket if you are sitting on the lawn.
The vies are spectacular from the lawn.
2. Vail Recreation Path
Overall Ratings
5 based on 159 reviews
This seven-mile, paved path meanders through alpine fields, aspen groves and Vail's picturesque villages.
Reviewed By Janet R - Lafayette, Colorado
The Vail Bike Path does meander through Vail village along the creek (as many other reviewers have covered) which is very scenic. The path continues east out of town by the golf course and continues UP to Vail Pass (about 13-14 miles east of town). As you can imagine this is a strenuous bike path, running parallel to I-70, mostly in the forest, but there a few sections where the path is very close to I-70. For the very ambitious, the bike path continues over the pass through copper Mountain ski resort and onto Frisco and Breckenridge. From the center Vail Village all the way to Breck would be approximately 40 miles.
3. Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 648 reviews
This beautiful alpine botanical garden, located at the foot of Vail Mountain, is open to the public.
Reviewed By Marty D - Lakewood, Colorado
This free attraction in Vail is a refreshing break from a trip along I 70 or even from a trip to Vail. It's a lovely botanic gardens, specializing in high altitude plants. It's free and beautiful.
4. Vail Mountain Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Offering more than 5,289 acres of downhill and cross-country trails, Vail is considered one of the best all-around ski mountains in the world.
Reviewed By Kevin D - Manchester, New Hampshire
While it was a cloudy day and there was some rough stuff under the light coat of powder, it was still a great day on the hill. Vail has an excellent selection of terrain for every type of skier/ snowboarder. The Vail village is very quaint and well appointed with stores and restaurants.
5. Vail Valley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 285 reviews
The heart of the city of Vail where most of the area's restaurants, shops and attractions are located.
Reviewed By jer b - Bristol, Connecticut
Vail is just a beautiful town in a very beautiful valley that is easily accessed from the highway 70. Very handsome down town area with upscale shops and restaurants, all surrounded by magnificent and majestic mountains. Definitely a place to visit.
6. Booth Falls Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 217 reviews
Six-mile hiking trail climbs 3,000 feet in elevation as it passes varied scenery including lakes, waterfalls and aspen forests.
Reviewed By Justin A
Its a long hike, uphill. But man is it worth it. The destination is the prize but youll be greeted by endless views of incredible autum scenes as you climb, making the entire thing a beautiful journey.
Bring water and comfortable shoes. Rain jacket and some simple food stuff such as bars, jerkey, etc will be helpful. Parking is easy. Total trip should run you a few hours depending on your speed.
7. Vail / Beaver Creek Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 312 reviews
One of the premier ski areas in the world, Vail and Beaver Creek offer excellent skiing and many other attractions.
Reviewed By Duncan B - Fort Lauderdale
Had Epic Pass 3-4 years now. Went there with 2 friends and arrived at 9:15AM for a days skiing. The moron could not find my info in the system - I gave her my driving license, 2 credit cards and last years ski pass. She was looking me up using my middle in stand of first name. 90 mins later (yes they had to call the website I booked My pass through) and almost lunch time they gave me my pass. My friend with me was getting a buddy pass. I requested extra discount since they wasted half of our day failing at something as simple as finding a season pass. They would not budge. The old hag suggested I should book directly on the vail resorts site and I informed her as a customer I'd book my season pass with who ever the hell I liked. Arrogant, money grabbing business I can see why many of my Colorado friends are leaving vail resorts in favor of more local and caring options. I love Breck - I will never go back to this place!!
8. Colorado Ski Museum-Ski Hall of Fame
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 127 reviews
Get a feel for the slopes without strapping on the skis at this museum chronicling Colorado's skiing history.
Reviewed By timesharetraveler11 - Miamisburg, Ohio
The ski museum is located conveniently in the Transportation Center. It is a good way to learn about the history of the area.
9. Piney River Ranch
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 172 reviews
We are officially closed for the 2017 season. See you in Summer 2018! Mountain ranch offering summer activities - hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, restaurant, lodging. Opened June 21st through September annually.
Reviewed By venisonking - TORONTO
We didn't want to do another hike since we wanted a relaxing day, so we researched other recommended places to visit close to Vail. The drive is basically on a rocky road and takes about 40mins to finally get to the ranch. It's a beautiful spot and there was a wedding happening that day. There is a hiking trail, but we didn't do it. We bought a couple of drinks from the restaurant which are pricey. But the view was nice and we even got to see a moose on our way out.
10. Adventure Ridge
Overall Ratings
4 based on 197 reviews
DISCOVER SUMMER AT VAIL Zip, fly, tour, tube: how will you discover Vail Mountain? With Adventure Courses, Ziplines, a Mountain Coaster and much more, the options are endless at Epic Discovery, the ultimate playground! Summer in the mountains is taking on a whole new feel with Vail's newest summer experience, Epic Discovery. Epic Discovery provides a unique, connected, on-mountain summer experience, immersing you in activities which provide big-time thrills, allowing you to challenge yourself physically, guiding you to explore and better understand your natural surroundings, and ultimately create lifelong memories. WINTER Play in the afternoon and well into the night at Adventure Ridge with ski bikes, kids snowmobile track, a slippery slope of rip-roaring tubing lanes and more. Located at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola, Adventure Ridge is snow park the size of a football stadium, complete with family food favorites like Bistro Fourteen. The Eagle Bahn Gondola runs from breakfast till night. Drink hot chocolate and watch the sun set over the bowls. Adventure Ridge, a family experience Like Nothing on Earth.
Reviewed By JDMCDMBMM - Saint Louis, Missouri
Adventure Ridge is a great, half-day of family fun on Vail mountain. Our kids enjoyed the gondola ride up the mountain (be sure to dress in layers as it may be warmer or cooler than the base). Their absolutely favorite activity was the alpine roller coaster...it moves with the momentum of gravity and the views are well worth the ride. The kids enjoyed it so much that they continued to ride even after rain moved in...it's safe enough to let them ride on their own (at least at ages 8 and 12), but it's also fun for mom and dad too! Good family food options are available.
